How do I get an SR22 in California

Like many states, California requires all vehicles to be covered by a minimum amount of liability insurance. Insurance companies in California are required by law to report to the state the insurance status of a vehicle and the driver must provide proof of insurance, like SR22, in California during the first-time registration of a vehicle, or when a vehicle registration is renewed.

Insurance coverage requirements in California

The standards below indicate the minimum coverage required under law in California. Naturally, higher coverage can be acquired for policyholders concerned about liability.

$15,000

This is the maximum amount per person paid for bodily injury (“BI”) injuries.

$30,000

This the total amount paid by the policy for all bodily injury to all persons. Therefore if several people are injured, those who file first would receive payment as defined above, and once the total payment was reached, the remaining parties must pursue the policyholder for any sums over these amounts.

$5,000

This is the total amount paid for property damage (“PD”).

California SR22: When do you need it?

SR-22 (the “SR” stands for “safety responsibility”) is a document that verifies that someone has automobile insurance. The SR22 is prepared by an insurance company and then filed (by the insurance company) with the department of motor vehicles (DMV).

The SR-22 is not an insurance policy. It is evidence that you have a policy.

Typically, an SR22 is required when a driver seeks to reinstate a driver’s license after being convicted of a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or some other driving violation that’s resulted in a suspension. The SR-22 may be required whether you own a vehicle (owner SR22) or not (non-owner SR-22). The SR-22 is usually required for a number of years – for example, five years following a DUI conviction. If the policy holder fails to pay the premiums, the SR-22 is cancelled and an SR-26 is filed with the DMV. When the DMV receives the SR-26, the policy holder’s license is suspended until a new SR-22 is filed.

State of California Website Insurance Links

What if you’re involved in an accident in a state other than California?

The good news is that most policies will increase to match the minimum requirements of the state in which the accident occurred. The 12 states with no-fault insurance systems require that your insurer pay for your damages (as if you had a no-fault policy).

How are premiums determined?

An insurance company takes many factors into consideration when determining your insurance rates (premiums). Some factors may seem unfair. For example, drivers with higher education or who are married will generally receive better rates than a driver with a similar driving record. Below are the major factors affecting rates

Location. Higher crime rates in your neighborhood or a density of population (cities) will cause rates to rise.

Age. Drivers under 25 pay more; drivers between 50 and 65 pay less.

Gender and marital status. Women have fewer accidents and pay less than men. A married person is considered more stable and will receive a lower rate than a driver with a similar record.

Type of car. The more powerful or expensive, the higher premium because high performance cars attract riskier drivers and expensive cars are more costly to repair.

About Steve Ludwig

Regardless of if you own a vehicle or not or if you’ve maintained having prior insurance. Our Goal is to find affordable insurance solutions for every driver, regardless of your previous insurance or accident history. If you need Non-Owner or owner SR22 insurance, Florida and Virginia FR44 insurance, Georgia SR22A insurance, Indiana SR50 insurance, an Ohio SR22 Bond, or DUI insurance, Select Insurance Group is the right SELECTion for you!
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